Part 7

"Yes; St. Francis of Assisi. It was one of my birthday presents, and I've read a lot of it already, but I can't quite see clearly yet how one is to imitate him!"

"Pray don't try, Miss Whitburn; you are much nicer as you are," said the Hon. Edward as Toney went off.

"She's charming and original, mother!" he said on his return to the drawing-room.

"She has fifty thousand a year; I have it on good authority," said his mother. "I do think, Edward, you couldn't do better!"

"The point is, could she? Money just melts in my hands."

"Yes; so it's most important you should settle down and retrench."

"On fifty thousand a year? I don't mind trying, Lady Mother."

"There's a good boy--and she really is original, and originality is so in the fashion just now."

*CHAPTER XII.*

*AN UNDIGNIFIED SITUATION.*

Lewis Waycott was shooting over a lonely ten-acre field with a copse at the further end of it, when suddenly he heard a fearful noise, and then beheld a huge black snout rise up on the hedge and look over it. On the top of the snout was Toney and a man. Suddenly loud explicatives in most unparliamentary language were heard as the snout disappeared. Lewis threw his gun down and jumped over the hedge, to see the new motor trembling with indignation and Toney laughing inordinately.

"Oh, Mr. Waycott, I turned the wheel the wrong way! and we had a peep over the hedge. Mr. Hughes is very much displeased with me. The creature is not hurt, is it?"

"No, madam; but if it had been a wall instead of a hedge it would have been ruined, and your life would have been in danger."

Jim had fallen out, but was none the worse, and was grinning broadly as he said:

"Them dratted beasts is so contrary, Miss Toney; better keep to horses."

"Good gracious, Toney, are you hurt?" exclaimed Lewis.

"Not a bit! I'm awfully elastic, you know. No harm done, Mr. Hughes. Come in with us please, Mr. Waycott, and you'll see how nice it is."

Lewis fetched his gun, unloaded it, and accepted. He and Toney got inside, and left the two men on the front seat.

"We have been to the Towers, and they were ever so kind. The Honourable Edward Lang was just as charming as he could be."

Lewis felt aggrieved.

"Why didn't you come and see us instead?"

"Aunt Dove wanted to accept the invitation to tea, and yet didn't want the trouble, whilst I enjoyed it. Isn't it odd why people ask other people they don't want to see, and who don't want to come?" Lewis laughed.

"The ways of Society, Toney. You must learn all that!"

"I never shall. Oh, Mr. Waycott, my new secretary has come, Mr. Plantagenet Russell, and Aunt Dove is fascinated with him! Isn't that a piece of luck?"

"And what do you think?"

"I haven't thought yet at all. I'm only sniffing round like Trick, who glared at his heels, but I was firm. It wouldn't do the first day, would it?"

"If Trick sent him away it would be all right."

"Oh, but you are cruel! I couldn't do it all myself!"

"I'd look in and do it for you!"

"You! What would Miss Waycott say? She would look 'Oh--you--dreadful--Toney' all over!"

Lewis laughed.

"I daresay she would think I was trying to do what I know nothing about, being poor and having no superfluous money to dispense. Anyhow, will you always ask me for help if you are in need of it. It would please me very much to--to help you, Toney."

Toney looked straight up into Lewis' face, and for the first time in her life she hesitated. Then she shook her head.

"I wouldn't bother you or try your patience so much. But I may want help, and you are the only one who would understand. Gracious stars! this animal is snorting and lurching! Is anything the matter, Mr. Hughes?"

"I think there is a nut gone wrong from your having climbed that hedge, madam. I fear it will take a little time to set right."

"That comes of new locomotives," said Lewis, rather pleased. "Anyhow our legs are left to us. I'll escort you home."

Toney jumped out with great alacrity.

"One's legs are the best, aren't they? Come along and have a race."

"I prefer leisurely walks, Toney, if you don't mind. Happily there are only two miles."

"Happily, because Mr. Plantagenet Russell is chained to my letters. Oh, his name is fine, isn't it? Just the grand style, and Aunt Dove feels warm and comfortable when she hears it."

"You chose him because he was born in Australia, didn't you?"

"Yes, I thought he would be just one of our simple kind of men, but--he isn't---- A bit of a lord, still I'm glad as Aunt Dove likes him."

"Who is he?"

"He has lost his money, and seems a bit down in the mouth, so we must deal tenderly with him at first, but oh!--Mr. Waycott, I want to confess."

"To me!"

"Yes, because you won't disapprove too much. Did you look at the advertisements in to-day's papers?"

"No, I don't generally read them, and in which papers?"

Toney counted on her fingers.

"The _Times_, the _Standard_, the _Morning Post_, and a few more. I told a London agent to do it."

"To do what, Toney? I expect it is something surprising!" and Lewis laughed.

"Not really, but I think there will be a good many letters for Mr. Russell."

"Letters about what? But it's his duty to answer letters, that's what he has come for. Most likely you are paying him handsomely for it."

"Oh, yes. I told Uncle Evas it must be enough for him to live on and save. Pups had great ideas about a living wage. So we settled it should be L500 a year as long as he is here. He can save it, and that will help him for many a day."

"Then I don't think you need mind giving him some work."

Toney laughed happily.

"But he didn't guess what he was in for!"

"You haven't told me."

Toney thrust her hand in her pocket and drew out a crumpled paper.

"I haven't told anyone yet. I knew what uncle would say and Mr. Staines. Listen--'Any broken-down doctor, officer, or clergyman, or orphans of the above, wanting to hear of something to their advantage, may apply to Plantagenet Russell, Esq., Aldersfield House, Winchley.'"

"Good heavens, Toney! You are not----"

"Yes, I want to help doctors because of Pups, and officers because of the dear old General, and clergymen because they are often very hard up, and the orphans of the above because, I'm an orphan."

Lewis stopped a moment, and laughed inordinately.

"Why, Toney, you'll have a hornet's nest about you!"

"Do you think so? I was a little afraid of the result, so I thought I would tell you about it, and you might just talk it over with his Royal Highness."

"The King?"

"Mr. Plantagenet Russell! He looks so like a descendant of somebody, so I call him 'His Royal Highness' in my own mind."

"But what do you mean to do for this riff-raff?"

"They won't be riff-raff."

"Not a doubt about it, I assure you! It's only the ne'er-do-weels that will answer such an advertisement! The decent ones will think it a hoax."

"Why should they?"

"Well, it's rather wholesale you know, Toney."

"And look here, Mr. Waycott, I've drawn out a plan. I want you to see it."

"A plan for what?"

"Why to house my doctors, officers, and orphans."

"You don't mean to build?"

"Of course I do, only the difficulty is the land to build on. Aunt Dove will never consent to have a Home on the estate."

"I expect she won't."

"Then I shall be up a tree, because I want it close by. I shall want to see after it, and you promised you would help me, and Uncle Evas will be awfully interested."

Lewis gave a side glance at Toney. She was perfectly in earnest.

"We must manage it somehow I see. You'll give me a night to consider it in, won't you?"

"Of course! I've been thinking of it ever since I knew my General had left me his money. I've made lovely plans about all sorts of things."

"You have built castles in Spain?"

"No, only a stone house at Aldersfield. It will be hard work I know, but I love what Mr. Hales calls 'the strenuous life.'"

"You always were active-minded, but I think you will live to repent your palace."

"But you won't laugh about it, and you'll help, won't you?" Toney was very much in earnest. Lewis paused and took her hand suddenly.

"Of course I will. It is very, very good of you to trust me. It's a compact."

Toney looked at him suddenly. A faint blush spread where there was room, then the nervousness passed away.

"I do trust you ever so much. Thank you. What shall we exchange for a compact. It ought to be half a button! But about his Royal Highness, do you think he had better be warned?"

"I really think I would let him enjoy one night more without a nightmare."

Even Toney, who was terribly in earnest at this moment, could not resist laughing.

"You must come and see him. He really is very nice looking, but I am rather disappointed that he does not care to talk of Australia. You ought to stick to your country through thick and thin."

"Especially through thick masses of begging letters. You are a brave woman!"

"Come in and call on him. Do you know Aunt Dove is so happy as she can speak her mind to my dear chum, who has taken Miss Grossman's place for a few days. It does bring back my first arrival to hear her patiently reading a novel. Aunt Dove likes murders, because she can say, 'How very shocking!' but Chum has the courage to skip now and then. She is free at last!"

They had now reached Aldersfield, having taken a short cut across the park, and they instinctively made for the garden door nearest the secretary's room. Toney knocked, and there was a sound of moving before the "come in" allowed Toney to enter and find his Royal Highness seated at his writing table looking very secretarial. There was a strong smell of smoke, and the big armchair was close to the fire.

"Mr. Lewis Waycott has come to call on you," said Toney. "He's our next door neighbour; you must be tired of sorting letters."

The introduction was very correct. Plantagenet Russell was much afraid of condescension, so put on the superior and nonchalant tone.

"Will you kindly sit down," he said to his visitor. Toney had already sunk down on a low window sill. Lewis surreptitiously examined the new secretary, and inwardly smiled at the grand manner. He would soon find that he must climb down.

"Ah! fine country about here, but not a part of the world I know at all. Lady Dove has most kindly suggested some shooting, I suppose there is plenty."

"And there is some excellent golf," said Lewis cheerfully.

"Ah! I should have thought the neighbourhood was too scattered for that."

"I think you'll find it a growing neighbourhood," said Lewis, remembering Toney's advertisement and glancing at her, but she turned her head away in terror.

"Ah! I'm surprised at that. I shouldn't have expected it."

"The unexpected is frequently met with here."

"Indeed! As to society I always prefer solitude to second-rate people."

"We used to be very select, but--since----"

Toney looked reproachfully at him.

"England is changing very much in that respect; what with Socialists and Radicals, we are going to the dogs."

Whether Trick thought the remark too derogatory to be passed over, or whether he was bent on mischief, certain it is that at this moment he trotted in from the garden door, and seeing his mistress in company with a strange man, flew at his heels.

"Put your feet up, Mr. Russell, anywhere. Trick will gnaw your heels if you don't. Please forgive him, but I never can break him of the habit. Trick! Trick!"

His Royal Highness had not obeyed, so that he found himself attacked as if his heels were two rats, with sudden darts at one and then the other. It was really a most unpardonable position to put one into. Lewis could not restrain his amusement as Toney made ineffectual dashes. His Royal Highness tried to kick the offender, which, of course, only increased the evil.

"Don't kick him, please; he'll never forgive you." Lewis came to the rescue as he had done once before, and seized Trick by his shaggy coat, whilst Toney ran to open the door wider.

"How can you, Trick, I am so ashamed of you! I assure you, Mr. Russell, he has not done it for years. I only hope he won't remember your kicks. He's terribly sensitive."

Mr. Russell looked more than annoyed. The grand manner had forsaken him, and Toney plunged into a business talk to help him to recover his calmness.

"I hope you have not found the letters tiresome."

"They are from various tradesmen, but I mean to put it all down in double entry, a system of my own."

"I think you'll find single entry enough," laughed Lewis, and then to Toney's delight he suggested the secretary coming for a stroll with him, and both men disappeared, but not through the garden door.

*CHAPTER XIII.*

*A BIG PILE.*

Lady Dove came down to breakfast next morning much disturbed in spirit because Miss Grossman had sent word she was still very feverish and should remain in bed. Lady Dove had a horror of catching anything from those about her, but all the same she felt injured at her companion's message. As she came down the stairs she tried to elicit sympathy from her husband who was in the hall.

"I consider it a most improper message, Evas, and if you were not so callous to my feelings you would think the same."

"But, my dear Melina, Miss Grossman cannot help being feverish, and it's very considerate of her to keep out of your way. You have a dread of infection you know."

"I was not aware of it, Evas, but of course it is much kinder to our fellow-creatures to keep free from ailments. I have always gone on that principle. Men never realise what women put up with in silence. Are there any letters to-day?"

Sir Evas paused in front of the hall table where the letters were always laid in order in rows and heaps according to ownership. To-day his eyes strayed on to two vast piles.

"Good gracious, what's this? Plan---- Ah! Plantagenet Russell, Esq. Well!" Lady Dove stood aghast

"What does this mean? How can that young man have so many acquaintances? All for him!"

"No, not all. One letter for you, dear, some for me, and a good heap for Toney. The postman will rebel if----"

Toney came running down with Trick. She took in the situation at a glance.

"Good morning, Aunt Dove. How did you sleep, Uncle Evas?" and Toney bestowed her kisses all round. "Chum, dear, did you dream of your piccaninnies? Powder me pink! What a little cart-load of letters for Mr. Russell! I think he needn't have them for breakfast, they would swamp his food."

"I can't understand----" said Lady Dove, who had not jumped to conclusions as did Sir Evas.

"Evidently he is a gentleman well known to-day," continued Toney. Then she glanced on her own pile. "He may have mine too, except a few! I never did like letters much, people don't say what they really want to say in letters, do they?"

"I can't imagine what you mean, Antonia," answered Lady Dove, heading the procession to the dining-room and sweeping her rustling skirts with determination. "If people don't want to say what they do say, they don't write. I must say you do make the most illogical remarks of anyone I know."

Prayers followed--at which his Royal Highness did not put in an appearance, and Lady Dove said the responses louder and more impressively than usual, which was her way of letting the household know she was ruffled.

"I say, Toney, is this what we are to expect?" asked Sir Evas in a low tone to his niece, "the revenue will give you a testimonial!"

"I want to keep my name out of it," answered Toney in the same tone, "and isn't that the good of a secretary?"

"Have you offered free meals to the county?"

"Oh no! Uncle, that's bad political economy. Hush!"

"Pray, Evas, what are you remarking? I think conversations in low tones are most unseemly at breakfast. Ah! Mr. Plantagenet Russell, I hope you slept well. We are rather early as Sir Evas always thinks he has so much to do, a remark I notice which often hides idleness."

"Every duty, for _me_, has its appointed time!" said the secretary.

"Your letters are in the hall. I suppose you have a large circle of acquaintances, Mr. Russell?"

Toney was trying to smother her laughter as the secretary bowed low to the hostess.

"Not very large," said Mr. Russell, as if he were trying to be humble. "Rather a bore to answer them."

"I'm afraid it will take you some time, but, of course, one uses a paper-basket largely, even with letters from acquaintances," said Lady Dove politely. She was won over by the new secretary's deference.

"I hope you will tabulate them," put in Toney meditatively. "One can see at a glance then if--they are worse off or better off than the others."

"I make a list of everything," said Lady Dove. "You remember, don't you, Anne Faber, how well I kept the callers' book? One could see at a glance if people had not done their duty. I can always manage to show people politely what I think of them."

Mr. Russell murmured his approbation.

"It takes a very little time to book up letters, and I never believe those who say their letters were lost in the post."

"I don't think your letters will take very little time to-day, but, of course, I shall help you," said Toney, thinking of the terrible heaps in the hall.

Mr. Russell looked at the heiress with mild condescension.

"Thank you, I prefer doing it alone, and then there can be no mistake. I should not wish to stop your lessons in motor driving, Miss Whitburn."

"I've nearly conquered it; I've stuck up over my dressing table, '_Laborare est orare_,' that means the 'motor-car.'"

"Well, Toney, I hope it won't soon be your epitaph this neat Latin," smiled her uncle.

Happily Lady Dove soon got into most interesting conversation with Mr. Russell on the subject of social duties, so that Toney was then able to escape and to beckon to her uncle and Mrs. Faber to come and help her. Sir Evas could not help laughing heartily when he contemplated the pyramid of letters.

"This beats even you, Toney! Confess what you have been doing. Your aunt thinks the poor young man has such a large circle of friends."

"Oh, Toney, what is the new scheme?" said Mrs. Faber smiling.

Toney pulled her advertisement out of her pocket.

"I was so much afraid you would see it, but really I didn't guess the people would answer so promptly."

"Good heavens! Russell will be tabulating for days!"

"I expect there will be more by next post. Quick, let's carry them into the office. I think you won't complain that the secretary will be idle. You see, uncle, I shall be kept busy going to see them and just looking round."

"Busy! It's the work of Sisyphus or what's his name."

"I'll carry them in my skirt. Shoot them in, uncle. Chum, carry the rest and open the doors for us. Don't drop any, uncle, it may be just the most deserving case."

"It's my belief you have trod on a hornet's nest. Besides, they won't have believed in that advertisement!"

"I think they have," said Toney, emptying her skirt on the secretary's table. "St. Francis hadn't a daily post and never advertised," she continued rather sadly, "but he would have tackled it somehow."

Mrs. Faber was busy putting the letters in some kind of order, and could not help smiling.

"What guidance are you going to give Mr. Russell?"

"I've thought it all out and it will be awfully interesting work, only I want to do it as much as I can myself like Brother Giles. He believed that work was as good as prayer, and that even if you were talking to an angel and your superior called you, you must leave the angel."

"They are not very common visitors, Toney. Well, good-bye, I'll leave you to tackle his Serene Highness."

"And I must write up Lady Dove's visiting book," said Mrs. Faber, so they both escaped as they heard Mr. Russell's step in the passage.

"I didn't find the letters in the hall," he said, seeing Toney. Then his glance fell on the writing table. "What--are those--letters? Impossible!"

Toney had to confess.

"They have exceeded my greatest expectations I assure you."

"Hundreds!" murmured the secretary.

"Yes, I haven't counted them. It's in answer to this advertisement," and Toney read it out. "You know I've heaps of money and I've got to give it away; but it will take a lot of time, attention, and trouble. Anyhow, I've prepared myself for it, and you see how much I want your help."

"Yes, I see." He looked hopelessly at the table. "I thought you wanted an ordinary secretary."

"Oh, no, I don't want anything ordinary. It's a glorious work and you'll find it so. We must tabulate these first, some will be quite hopeless, but lots will want immediate help till we can house them."

"House them, where?" said Mr. Russell, roused from his lethargy into positive dread.

"Oh, yes, of course, house them. I've got the plans all ready in a rough way, and when I've got the land we can go ahead. It will be just beautiful!"

"Beautiful--in what way?"

"Entering into all the lives of people who are down in their luck. I'll confess I did several times think I'd give it all in a big lump and have done with it, but that was downright cowardice. A people's palace sounds first-rate, but when you come to look into it it's very little use. You know money is nothing without labour."

"Labour is nothing without money, I should say," said Mr. Russell with a sarcastic smile; "but as your house is not built, what can you do with these people?" He opened the envelopes at random. "Yes, I see it's the usual thing. A broken-down clergyman--has a large family, struggled many years against bad luck--I dare say a drone. Here's another, a doctor who has lost his health in the discharge of his duties, and----"

"Of course, he must be inquired about. My father was a doctor and--I see now, he died of over-work for other people." Toney clasped her hands, and her eyes looked soft through a thin veil of unshed tears. "I shall never resist a doctor's claim unless you help me! I know you will like the work. You are sort of a countryman of mine, and it's an honour for us, isn't it, that we can pull together."

Mr. Plantagenet Russell looked at his despised heiress a moment to see if she was in earnest. Yes, she certainly was in deadly earnest! He had meant to have an easy time, and on the threshold he was confronted with stupendous work, and then told it was "a great honour." It was the first glimmer of something above mere "do-your-duty-and-have-done-with-it" that had ever entered his head.

"I will think it over if I may," was his cautious answer. "In any case I had better begin at once or I shall not finish booking up before nightfall. As to answering them it is impossible to-day.